The History of Iyarpakai Nayanar

One of the ancient cities of the world which was the capital of the early chOza kings, the city in which the river kAvEri enters into the sea, that famous town was called kAvirippUmpattinam or pukAr . That being the capital on the shore was a very big trade center.

The leading businessman of that town, owner of boundless properties, but slave for the people who do true slavery to the crescent ornated God with matted hair, who never says "no" to the devotees who asked for something but gives much before they ask for, called iyarpakaiyAr (contradictor to the normal behavior (of the world)). While iyarpakaiyAr was leading the married life serving the Lord, God came in the form of a devotee who chants the holy vEdas in order to exhibit that the dedication of iyarpakaiyAr never derails. With a face like the blossomed lotus he gave Him a warm welcome. He told iyarpakaiyAr that if he is ready to give whatever he is going to ask for He will tell what He wants. Immediately iyarpakaiyAr replied, "If I have anything that you ask for, that is yours. No doubt in it. Please ask". The Lord who had concealed Himself in the form of devotee asked for his wife.

iyarpakaiyAr replied, "I am glad that I have the thing you asked for" He told his wife, who was the form of chaste and had a never downgoing love for her husband, that he gave her to the devotee. She was petrified with shock. She was worried but consoled herself and told him, "If that be your wish I consider that as my duty" and bowed down. iyarpakaiyAr admiring her love and chaste heart bowed down in responce. She excelled anything else by her deed.

iyarpakaiyAr bowed to the Lord and asked what else he can do for Him. The Lord asked him to escort Him (!) so that He is not attacked by His relatives. n^AyanAr told I should have done it even before you told me. He took his sword and shield and went with the devotee and his wife like the royal lion that goes out for hunting. The relatives of iyarpakaiyAr and his wife were irked by the act of iyarpakaiyAr and decided "iyarpakai has become crazy and somebody is taking away the girl. We won't allow it to happen". They all set out with their weapons and besieged them in the outskirts of the town. The Lord shivered as if He was scared, but the girl of great deed said, "Don't worry, iyarpakai will win". iyarpakaiyAr warned them to run away and get spared. But they scolded him for bringing bad name to the entire family by sending his wife with a third person. They tried to attack the God in the devotee form. Angered by their intention to attack the devotee iyarpakaiyAr raised his sword against his own relatives and the entire group was killed by him and he, whose head had the crown of the holy feet od Lord shiva, went around without anybody to oppose.

iyarpakaiyAr told the devotee that there is no need to be afraid. The chaste hearted lady and he followed the holy feet of the Lord which were unseen by even brahma and vishNu. As they aaproached the place chAykkAdu , He told iyarpakaiyAr to return. n^AyanAr bowed down and returned without turning back. The Lord pleased by his true devotion shouted loud, "Oh! iyarpakai, who did the deed which is unimaginable ! come immediately!!". iyarpakaiyAr rushed back in a moment to see if anybody else escaped and give trouble to the devotee. He didn't see the devotee and saw only the lady. He saw the Lord shiva who and whose devotees are of greatness which is beyond the limit of expression. The Lord appeared on the Holy bull with pArvati like a creeper of maragatham to His side. n^AyanAr didn't stand, fell down and praised that Honey with the words the competes with his love. The Lord told, "Your love is faultless and so are you. You and your flawless wife stay in our abode". With the flower rain of dEvas, praise of all good thinking sages, they both got the boon of staying with and worshipping the God of Lords. Their relatives also entered the Heaven. Let the fame of iyarpakaiyAr of giving away even the wife, who is in fact more than one's own life stay in the mind.